1 Now in the Congregation in Antioch, there were prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, Simon who was called Black, and Lucius the Cyrenian, as well as Manaen the foster brother of Herod the regional ruler, and Saul. 2 During their fasting and divine service to the Master, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul to me for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after fasting and praying, they dedicated them and dismissed them.
In Cyprus
4 Having been sent by the Holy Spirit, they came down into Seleucia. Then from there they sailed away to Cyprus. 5 Arriving at Salamis, they proclaimed the Word of God in the synagogues of the Judeans, assisted by John. 6 Now as they traveled throughout the whole island up to Paphos, they found a certain man, an Official Advisor and false prophet, a Judean by the name of Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the regional governor Sergius Paul, an educated man, who called for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the Word of God.
8 Now Elymas, the Official Advisor (that is what his name means), opposed them and intended to deflect the regional governor from the faith. 9 But Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, 10 “You minion of the devil, full of all kinds of treachery and mischief! You will never stop twisting the straight ways of the Master! 11 Now look! The hand of the Master is on you, and you will be blind and not see the sun until the appointed time.” 12 Then suddenly, poor vision and darkness fell upon him, and he went around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand. 13 Setting out from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga of Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
In Pisidian Antioch
14 Then they passed through Perga to Antioch in Pisidia, where they entered the synagogue on the Day of Sabbaths and sat down. 15 Now after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent for them and said, “Gentlemen, fellow believers, if you have any words of comfort for the people, speak up.”
16 So Paul got up. Gesturing with his hand he said, “People of Israel and those who fear God, hear me! 17 The God of Israel chose our ancestors, and lifted up the people living as foreigners in the land of Egypt. With a great show of strength he led them out of it, 18 and for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 He destroyed seven nations in Canaan and apportioned their land. 20 After about four hundred and fifty years, he gave them judges up to the time of the prophet Samuel. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.
22 “After Saul was deposed, God raised up David to be their king, about whom he said this: ‘I found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my own heart, and he will do what I say.’ 23 From his Descendant and according to the Promise, God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus. 24 Before Jesus was first presented, what John had proclaimed to all the people of Israel was the immersion that symbolizes when someone turns to God. 25 But as John was finishing his ‘race’ he said, ‘I’m not what you think I am. But coming next is the One whose sandals I am unworthy to untie.’
26 “People of Israel, descendants of the line of Abraham, and those of you who fear God: The word of this salvation was assigned to us. 27 The residents of Jerusalem and their rulers were wrong about Jesus, and by condemning him they fulfilled what was prophesied— and those prophecies are read on every Sabbath. 28 Though they could find no grounds for the death penalty, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29 “Now when they had accomplished everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him up from the dead; 31 he was seen over the course of many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses to the people.
32 “So we bring you the good news which was promised to our ancestors, 33 that God has completely fulfilled this to us, their children, by raising Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are my son; today I have fathered you.’ 34 Seeing that he has raised him from the dead and will in no way return to decay, he has thus declared, ‘I will give you the same cleansing and trustworthiness as David.’ 35 So also in another place he said, ‘You will not allow your clean one to experience decay.’ 36 But after he had served his own generation according to God’s counsel, David was laid to rest with his ancestors and did indeed experience decay. 37 Yet the One God raised did not experience it.
38 “Folks, let it be clear to you that the pardon of sins is being proclaimed through this One. 39 Though the Law of Moses could not acquit you of your sins, everyone who trusts in this One is acquitted. 40 But be careful that what was declared by the prophets will not come upon you: 41 ‘Look here, you mockers; be amazed and then vanish! I will achieve something in your days, the likes of which you would never believe even if someone told you.’”
42 As they left the synagogue the people encouraged them to speak of these things the next Sabbath. 43 When the gathering had broken up, many of the Judeans and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and convinced them to remain in the favor of God.
44 On the next Sabbath nearly the whole city had gathered to hear the Word of the Master. 45 But the Judeans saw the crowd and were filled with envy, so they slandered Paul and contradicted what he said. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas boldly retorted, “We had to speak the Word of God to you first. But now that you are pushing it away and have judged yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, watch this! We are turning to the other nations! 47 For this is the command of the Master to us: ‘I have appointed you as a light to the other nations, to bring salvation to the farthest reaches of the earth.’ ”
48 Upon hearing this, the people of other nations were very happy and honored the Word of the Master, and whoever was aligned with eternal life believed. 49 So the Word of the Master was spread throughout the whole country. 50 But again, the Judeans goaded the devout and respected women and city dignitaries into persecuting Paul and Barnabas, who were deported beyond their borders. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet to insult them, then went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.